Arsenal's need for a striker has seemingly been whittled down to two potential targets, according to reports - with the Gunners now weighing up the best option between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his striking ranks.
The Gunners were forced to spend the second half of the campaign with auxiliary striker Mikel Merino leading the line, following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus - and that saw them fail to make ground on Liverpool in the Premier League title race, as well as crashing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
BBC: Arsenal 'Working on Frameworks' of Gyokeres and Sesko Deals
The Gunners need to choose between the two strikers to come into their side
Viktor Gyokeres celebrating after scoring for Sporting
Although their lack of success cannot directly lie at the feet of their injury-stricken front line, having a talisman to tuck goals away across the season will massively benefit the Gunners, and that will see them aim to sign a starting attacker over the summer.
Benjamin Sesko's Bundesliga statistics - RB Leipzig squad ranking
Stats
Appearances
Goals
Aerials Won Per Game
Shots Per Game
Dribbles Per Game
Match rating
Gyokeres, who has had the season of his life at Sporting with an outstanding 39 league goals in just 33 games, has been a target for at least 18 months - whilst Sesko, billed as having the potential to become the 'best in the world', racked up 27 Bundesliga goals for RB Leipzig in just 64 games by the age of 21.
It's a tough decision to make for director Andrea Berta, but BBC journalist Sami Mokbel has given his thoughts on the situation - stating that there is no 'straightforward answer' as to who Arsenal will choose, despite the club undergoing painstaking analysis of the duo before making their decision. He wrote on the BBC website (June 2, 12:29):
"There isn’t a straightforward answer, unfortunately.
"Alexander Isak was always the club’s main target but I think it is safe to concede that deal cannot happen. So in terms of Gyokeres or Sesko – my information is that the club are working towards confirming the frameworks of both deals before making a final decision on which to proceed with.
"Sesko has near universal backing at the Emirates but, crucially, will be the more expensive deal. Gyokeres’ chances of moving to Arsenal have increased since Andrea Berta’s appointment as sporting director. Price is key here. Sesko ticks many boxes in terms of profile, he is younger than Gyokeres and plays in a stronger league (the Bundesliga) according to recruitment data. But some of the reported figures indicate he could cost £93million.
"Gyokeres is more economical, but would see the club divert from their longer-term strategy given Sesko has always been a target."
The Gunners have made a conscious effort to sign top young talent in recent years, with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber being two long-term signings they've made over the past two years. Sesko could follow suit as a top young signing for the future.
But whilst Sesko would make sense in that regard, there is also the fact that Gyokeres is at his peak - and alongside Arsenal's immediate need for trophies to end their five-year hiatus from taking any silverware, that could see him preferred over Sesko.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 04-06-25.
MixCollage-09-Mar-2025-06-36-PM-5363 Related
Arsenal Ready to Hijack Move to Sign 'World-Class' £325,000-a-Week Winger
Arsenal have opened talks with the 29-year-old forward's representatives over a potential summer move.
Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.